Hooker is in the field of physical activity and public health and has been involved in projects exploring the impact of the built environment on physical activity behavior particularly walking and biking. These projects have involved evaluating the role of park, playground, trail, street, and other neighborhood and community features on physical activity in persons of all ages and in diverse settings e. The bottom line has always been to determine how the built environment and associated policies either encourages or discourages physical activity, and how changes can be made to support active lifestyles.
In relation to sustainability, environments and policies that are supportive of physical activity are key to helping the population maintain health, well-being, and quality of life, as well as communities maintaining an effective and viable infrastructure. Walk- and bike-friendly communities are associated with mixed land use, higher population density, better connectivity, and transit-oriented development. All of these translate to fewer trips by motorized transportation, decreased reliance of fossil fuels, less road repair, lowered vehicle emissions, improved air quality, and reduced risk of injury.
Physical activity-friendly environments have also been shown to improve the economic viability of communities via increased retail sales, tourism and property values. Lastly, environments that are supportive of physical activity are associated with lower rates of crime and incivilities e. Contact Us. Hooker asu. Education PhD, Exercise Science, Arizona State University, MA, Physical Education, California State University-Sacramento, BA, Physical Education, California State University-Fresno, Expertise relationships between physical activity and elements of the built environment health interventions effects of physical activity on risk of developing chronic diseases community-based participatory research public health communities smart growth recreation Good Health and Well-Being.
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